10 Fun Facts About Jimmy Page: the “Lord of the Riffs”
When it comes to legendary guitarists, Jimmy Page is in a league of his own. Very few have left a permanent mark on rock music like the mastermind behind Led Zeppelin‘s iconic sound, whose unforgettable riffs inspired a generation of musicians.
But there’s a lot more to his legacy than just his work with Led Zep and in this article we will explore ten fun facts about the “Lord of the Riffs”.
1. Taught himself to play the guitar at age 12
When Jimmy Page moved into a new house as a child, he stumbled upon an abandoned guitar – a discovery that would change not only rock but music in general.
Since he had a lot of time on his hands, he started experimenting with the guitar out of boredom. And although he took a few lessons, Page largely learned by ear, playing along with records by his favorite artists
2. He was influenced by rockabilly and blues guitarists
Page‘s love for the guitar was sparked by rockabilly and blues legends. He cites Elvis Presley’s “Baby Let’s Play House” as a major influence, particularly the playing of Scotty Moore and James Burton.
Other inspirations included B.B. King, Chuck Berry, and Muddy Waters, whose raw energy and expressive guitar playing heavily influenced his own technique.
3. Before his big break, he performed on the streets
Long before filling stadiums, a young Jimmy was busking on the streets to make ends meet. However, he looks back on this time fondly, describing it as a “good schooling” for his future career.
Performing on the street is a common experience for many musicians. For example, Pink Floyd‘s Syd Barrett and David Gilmour also played on the street before they became rockstars.
4. He appeared on a BBC talent show at the age of 13
At just 13 years old, Jimmy Page appeared on the BBC show ‘All Your Own’ as part of a skiffle quartet.
When the host (Huw Wheldon) asked about his future plans, the young guitarist surprisingly said he wanted to be a biological researcher in order to “find the cure for cancer”. What a noble cause!
5. He was a sought-after session musician early on
Before forming The Yardbirds and Led Zeppelin, Page was one of the UK’s most sought-after session musicians. He went under the name “Lil’ Jim Pea” to avoid confusion with another session guitarist “Big Jim Sullivan“
His guitar can be heard on records by artists such as – The Who, The Kinks, the Rolling Stones, Marianne Faithfull (‘As Tears Go By’), Petula Clark, Shirley Bassey (James Bond theme), Petula Clark, Tom Jones, and even The Beatles.
6. He interviewed for a laboratory assistant
Young Jimmy Page wasn’t joking about his scientific ambitions. Namely, he interviewed for a lab assistant position at the end of his high school education
However, in a dramatic turn of events, at the age of 15 he left school early after earning his GCE O-levels to pursue a music career. Fortunately, in the end, it all worked out.
7. He enrolled at an Art College
After two years of working as a musician and relentless touring, Page had to stop traveling due to recurring bouts of glandular fever (mono).
During his recovery, he enrolled at Sutton Art College in Surrey where he studied painting. His love for art remained a lifelong passion, and it also influenced his stage antics and album covers.
Read: 10 Interesting Facts About Robert Plant
8. Member of multiple supergroups
The mere presence of Jimmy Page alone turns any band into a supergroup. But if we play by the rules, he was part of several supergroups that fit the definition.
Beyond Led Zeppelin, he joined forces in XYZ (a Zeppelin-Yes hybrid), The Firm (with Paul Rodgers), and The Honeydrippers (Robert Plant, Jeff Beck, Nile Rodgers, etc.)
Even The Yardbirds – though not a supergroup at the time, looking back, their lineup was filled with future rock royalty.
9. Jimmy Page loves the occult
As a teenager, Jimmy read ‘Magick in Theory and Practice’ by Aleister Crowley which sparkled a lifelong interest in the occult.
His fascination manifested in Led Zeppelin’s album artwork, where he used occult symbols. But that’s not all, as he even bought Crowley’s former home and owned an occult bookshop and publishing house.
10. He is one of the most influential guitarists of all time
While the name Led Zeppelin may still ring a bell even among the youngest generations, Jimmy Page as an individual is not as popular as he was during the height of his fame almost half a century ago. That’s why I thought a reminder of his greatness was needed.
His iconic riffs have inspired generations of guitarists – from legends like Eddie Van Halen, Slash, Joe Perry, and Kirk Hammett to underrated greats like Richie Sambora, Jack White and Alex Lifeson, along with countless others in between.
Final Thoughts
Jimmy Page – the enigmatic rock icon and musical innovator is definitely much more than just the guitarist of Led Zeppelin.
His legacy goes well beyond that and continues to inspire generations of both musicians and fans alike.
Whether it’s his early days as an in-demand session musician, innovative guitar playing, or his deep fascination with the occult, his story is as fascinating as his music.